There is no priority higher than the prevention of disease! It is distressing to suffer dental problems such as caries and gum disease that dramatically impair your oral form, function, and aesthetics. Thankfully, with the advanced technology in modern dentistry, preventive measures help avoid the occurrence, recurrence, or disease progression of a wide range of oral problems.
Glenview dental Care offers compassionate and extensive preventive treatments in the form of dental sealants to keep dental problems at bay!
What is a dental sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating applied to the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of your teeth. The sealant material comprises an adhesive agent that bonds with the tooth enamel to fill in the deep pits and grooves that commonly trap food particles. By filling in those pits and grooves, excess plaque accumulation can be prevented. Therefore, a sealant prevents cavities even before they start!
The dental sealants are made up of:
- Resins (plant or synthetic)
- Glass ionomers (glass powder mixed with a water-soluble acid)
Are dental sealants necessary?
Dental sealants are a common preventive treatment option commonly performed on children and adults all over the world. Sealants form a uniform coating to seal the deep grooves and make brushing easy.
There are several categories of people who require sealants:
- Children usually get their permanent molars around 6 years of age when they are not adept at manipulating a toothbrush to clean their teeth.
- People with special needs face challenges when it comes to proper brushing and flossing.
- Some adults may be prone to dental cries due to the anatomy of their teeth, which have extraordinarily deep pits and grooves.
How are dental sealants beneficial?
Dental sealants offer enormous benefits. They:
- Are cost-effective
- Seal the deep grooves of the occlusal surfaces effectively
- Can be used in both children and adults
- Involve a simple and painless procedure
- Save time from extensive dental procedures
What is the process of applying sealants?
Getting dental sealants is a simple and quick procedure.
Your dentist will:
- Clean your teeth thoroughly, dry and isolate them using a rubber dam. This helps prevent excess moisture that can prevent the hardening of sealant material.
- Apply a thin layer of acid-etching solution on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of your teeth. This roughens the surfaces, creating micropores to enable the sealant to bond well to the tooth surface.
- Rinse the tooth with plain water.
- Apply an adequate amount of sealant material to the etched tooth surface.
- Expose the tooth to a curing light, which hardens the sealant.
Dental sealants shield your teeth with deep grooves from caries-causing bacteria. This effective preventive measure can greatly enhance the health of your teeth, thereby rejuvenating your oral cavity.
